Nielsen Park Seawall Update August 2024

Published 30 August 2024

We are all deeply frustrated by the delays at Nielsen Park.

Our community has missed two summers of swimming and was looking forward to the re-opening in September. Yesterday, I was briefed by the Minister’s office on another delay to the opening date. While this is disappointing, I have been advised that the delay will be weeks and not months. The reason for this is due to the need to rectify some defects in the finish of the concrete on the promenade. I will continue to keep you updated and will remain a thorn in the side of the contractors until we can all swim again at Shark Beach.

The Below Content is from the National Parks and Wildlife Services monthly newsletter.

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Welcome to Project Update 23

August 2024

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is replacing the concrete seawall at Nielsen Park, part of the Sydney Harbour National Park. You are receiving this email because you have been identified as a key stakeholder for the Sydney Harbour National Park or Nielsen Park.

Progress

The major structural works at the western end of the seawall are now complete, and several mature native trees were transplanted into the new garden beds in mid-August. In total there will be 17 new trees planted along the promenade to replace the 12 trees which were removed early in the project. These new trees will provide much needed shade along the lawn terrace and seating areas.

Finishing works to the western section are underway, including stair treads, promenade slab concrete pours, grit blasted finishes to concrete elements, handrails and landscaping.

The contractor gained good momentum whilst constructing the repetitive bleachers that form most of the seawall structure, but unfortunately construction complexities have impacted progress at the eastern end of the seawall. The vehicle and pedestrian ramps in this area incorporate detailing different to the bleachers, and this has presented construction methodology challenges and slowed progress through this section of the seawall.

In addition, at the start of August the contractor commenced execution of the grit-blasted finishes to the bleachers, mid-level terrace and promenade slabs. As part of this process, NPWS and the project landscape architect identified that some remedial patching of concrete surfaces is necessary to rectify defects in the finish. This work is now underway, will be completed by the contractor at their own cost, and does not affect the integrity of the seawall structure, but will require additional time to complete.

NSW Public Works are closely monitoring the works program and sequencing of activities to account for impacts resulting from these issues. Based on the current progress and taking into account the challenges described above, completion has been revised to late October 2024.

We will continue to provide updates as works progress. NPWS is also providing weekly photo updates via the project webpage.

Visitor Access

Shark Beach will remain closed to visitors until the completion of the project. In the interest of everyone’s safety, we kindly request that all visitors refrain from entering the construction site, be it through fencing or water. This area is not safe for visitors.

We appreciate and understand that the project delays are very frustrating, but we are committed to delivering the project to specification so that this public infrastructure meets its design life of 100 years. All parties involved are working hard to achieve overall completion as soon as possible.

More information

Please refer to the project webpage for the latest information, regularly updated as information becomes available. Questions and comments are welcome, and anyone can sign up to receive these updates. Just complete the online form on the project webpage.